Thirty LNG-fuelled newbuidings were contracted in May in what has turned into a record quarter for vessels being ordered that will be able to bunker LNG, according to classification society DNV.
In its monthly update DNV said this brings the total number of LNG-fuelled vessels ordered in 2022 to 151 ships.
The class society said the figures for May were made up almost exclusively by container ships and car carriers.
Commenting on the figures, DNV Maritime Advisory business’ principal consultant Martin Wold said the second quarter of 2022 is already the strongest quarter on record.
But Wold added: “Current LNG bunkering activities remain very low, however. Though there is also some hope on the horizon that activity in the LNG bunker market could return as oil prices continue to stay high, at least temporarily.”
According to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight platform there are now 510 LNG-fuelled ships on order and 295 in operation, with a further 229 being constructed LNG ready.
The bulk of orders comprise container ships, with 172 currently under construction. The next largest grouping is car carriers with 95 vessels on order, followed by crude oil tankers on 55 ships and bulk carrriers at 49 units.
DNV also records that there are now 38 LNG bunker vessels in operation, 18 on order and a further 17 under discussion.
For May the class society also highlighted that the month saw a second methanol-powered ship ordered for the wind market, following Van Oord’s order in 2021.
